The SBA offers numerous loan programs to assist small businesses. It is important to note, however, that the SBA is primarily a guarantor of loans made by private and other institutions.

CDC - 504 Loans

The 504 Certified Development Company (CDC) Program provides growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. A Certified Development Company is a nonprofit corporation set up to contribute to the economic development of its community or region. CDCs work with the SBA and private-sector lenders to provide financing to small businesses. There are about 290 CDCs nationwide. Each CDC covers a specific area.In Maine:
Counties of Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford, MD -Androscoggin Valley Council of Govts.
Counties of Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and York, MD -Coastal Enterprises, Inc.
Counties of Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington, MD -Eastern Maine Development Corporation

Microloan Program

The Microloan Loan Program provides small, short-term loans to small business concerns as well as not-for-profit child-care centers. SBA makes funds available to specially designated intermediary lenders, which are nonprofit community-based organizations with experience in lending as well as management and technical assistance; these intermediaries make loans to eligible borrowers. The maximum loan amount is $35,000; the average loan is about $13,000. Learn more

The 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program is one of the SBA's primary lending programs for businesses that might not be eligible for business loans through normal lending channels. The program operates through private-sector lenders that issue loans that are, in turn, guaranteed by the SBA. Loan proceeds can be used for most sound business purposes including working capital, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, land and building (including purchase, renovation and new construction), leasehold improvements, and debt refinancing (under special conditions). Loan maturity is up to 10 years for working capital and generally up to 25 years for fixed assets. > Learn more

SBA CAPLines Loan Program
Short term loans and revolving lines of credit designed to support small business short-term and cyclical working capital needs. There are five types of CAPLine Programs including the Seasonal Line, Contract Line, Builders Line, Standard Asset-Based Line, and Small Asset-Based Line.

Business Stabilization Program

As part of America’s Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the SBA is offering loans to businesses that already have a bank-issued loan. The business can borrow up to $35,000 to make interest payments and pay down principal on existing debt up to six months. The loan is essentially interest free with no repayment for a year and full repayment in five years. Contact your local bank to learn if they are issuing this type of loan as the SBA will fully subsidize the interest and 100% guarantee the loan making it very attractive for the bank to work with you.

Operation Boots to Business

From service to start-up, this three-step training program is offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as an elective track within the Department of Defense's revised Training Assistance Program called Transition Goals, Plans, Success (Transition GPS). The program provides valuable assistance to transitioning service members who are exploring self-employment opportunities by leading them through the key steps for evaluating business concepts and the foundational knowledge required for developing a business plan. To learn more about this program, visit SBA.gov.

SBA Loan FAQs

Visit SBA Loan FAQs to learn how an SBA Loan Program works and where to apply.

SBA Disaster Loan

If you are in a declared disaster area and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration - even if you don't own a business. As a homeowner, renter and/or personal-property owner, you may apply to the SBA for a loan to help you recover from a disaster. > Learn more

Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)

An SBIC is a privately owned and managed venture capital firm that is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBICs are located across the country and use a combination of funds raised from private sources and money raised through the use of SBA guarantees to make equity and mezzanine capital investments in small businesses. Search for a local SBIC.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)

Any business that is majority owned, operated, and controlled by a citizen of the United States, or lawfully admitted permanent resident, that is Black, Hispanic, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Subcontinent Asians, or women. regardless of race, may consider becoming a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) in order to become eligible for doing business with government agencies and hundreds of national corporations who are looking to specifically do business with DBEs. To become certified, you will need to complete a Uniform Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Application. Click here for more information.

Federal Grant Resources

SBA grant programs generally support nonprofit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments in an effort to expand and enhance small business technical and financial assistance. The SBA does not offer grants to start of expand small businesses.

SBTN is a virtual campus providing quality and targeted online training to meet the information needs of prospective and existing small business owners.

Teens & Entrepreneurship

Explore, Decide, Build, Connect and Succeed in business by discovering and using online resources including a student activities guide, a volunteer guide, and an assessment tool.
Visit www.mindyourownbiz.org.

"The SBA offers financing, training, and advocacy for small firms with offices in every state, including the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide. If your business is independently owned and operated, not dominant within its field, and falls within
size standards, the SBA can be a useful resource."

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Note: This information has been compiled by the Knowledge Institute for Small Business Development (KISBD) for educational purposes only in order to convey a general overview of the options and related services available to small businesses in the subject areas introduced. Content is provided on an "as is" basis and is not intended to be an exhaustive representation, nor does it provide advice or create a customer relationship between KISBD and its sponsors, buzgate.org, its affiliates and any other organization named herein, and any reader.

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